Clusterf*ck in Epsom

Written By: - Date published: 10:25 am, August 4th, 2011 - 61 comments
Categories: david parker, election 2011, john banks - Tags: , ,

It looks like the race for Epsom is about to get a whole lot more exciting. Former ACT funder Colin Craig seems set to throw his hat into the ring against ACT’s John Banks, National’s Paul Goldsmith, and Labour’s David Parker. It only needs Winnie to join in to make a real party of it. Can Parker slip through the middle and win?

Consider these facts:

  • In 2008, the party vote split about 10,000 for Labour/Greens. That’s artificially low because the candidates were running ‘don’t vote for me’ campaigns that hurt the party vote too.
  • There were 26,000 party votes for National/ACT, nearly all of them National. ACT’s base support in Epsom is only about 2,000
  • The Green candidate vote is likely to be much weaker this time with the unknown David Hay replacing Keith Locke.
  • John Banks is old. He’s been out of national politics for 12 years. He’s also clearly a proxy for Brash, who is completely unelectable.
  • Banks cannot assume he starts with Rodney Hide’s level of support in 2008. That was hard, hard won. In 2005, despite the nod from National, his majority was only 3,000.
  • National supporters of Epsom are being told from on high to vote for a guy who is representing a party that he doesn’t really believe in so that a guy no-one would elect can get in to offer a lifeline to a party that is falling apart in a mess of fascist and libertarian contradictions, so that National can have a support partner if they need one.
  • There are a lot of grumblings from National’s base in Epsom that they don’t like being taken for granted and they want to be able to vote for a real National MP, rather than being Shanghaied into assisting an ally that most on the Right are keen to abandon. Even when National’s Epsom supporters were happy to go along with the rort, Richard Worth won over 8,000 votes.
  • David Parker will be the most senior politician and only sitting MP in the race.

So, what happens if a large portion of National supporters refuse to to used as tools and vote for Goldsmith, Craig, or even Parker? What if Parker can, additionally pick up nearly all the Labour/Green party votes?

There will be about 36,000 votes in play. It’s fair to assume that, if he campaigns for the candidate vote, Parker will get nearly all the Left vote and probably a few thousand from the Nats. Call it 12,000.

That leaves 24,000 votes divided between three rightwing candidates, none of whom are particularly energising, and one of whom will be constantly reminding voters of the attempted stitch-up between the other two. How many permutations of 24,000 divided among three result in none having more than 12,000 votes?

61 comments on “Clusterf*ck in Epsom ”

  1. Bryan 1

    I’m not sure where you get your figures from. Hopeful, wishful thinking that resembles Robin Hood. A fantasy. Hide regained control of the seat with a resounding win in 08 so why look back to 05? If we use 05 as the benchmark, then National won’t win the benches again. Typical left thinking…looking backwards rather than forwards. While Epsom should be an interesting seat to watch, if Banks doesn’t win, rest assured Parker won’t. The stitch ups are neither new nor unique. More people voted for Worth and Hide than people voted for their parties, yet more votes were recorded in the party column, than MP. What does that tell you? There will be a base of people unhappy with the rort, but many many more who let their pen do the talking. Banks will win it. Goldfish will be a distant second, and Conservative Craig will come in a noble 3rd. The voters in Epsom may largely be conservative, but they won’t risk omitting Banks as their MP to get Craig in. Too much on the line.

    • lprent 1.1

      At a rough guess, I’d say that Eddie got them from http://elections.org.nz

      Perhaps you should try reading it?

    • Blighty 1.2

      The point is that, yes, it’s a heavily rightwing seat but it’s also got three big rightwing candidates and how many of them will refuse to toe the Banks line?

      • lprent 1.2.1

        Jeremy Greenbrook-Held said (on facebook)

        Between them, the candidates for Epsom have lost the Auckland Mayoralty 3 times, and Goldsmith failed to be elected to the Auckland Council.

        It is essentially a seat that the right wing sends their failed candidates to. I mean who in Auckland really wants to vote John Banks into anything? Even the right voters seem to despise him – especially the women.

    • I think it’s pointless trying to come up with wishful number combinations.

      The voters in Epsom may largely be conservative, but they won’t risk omitting Banks as their MP to get Craig in. Too much on the line.

      What’s more likely to happen is Epsom voters will work out there preference and go for it. They’ve bucked voting tradition before, why not again?

      Epsom is a battle for several seats, not just a single seat. It will be interesting to see the Conservative list. It wouldn’t be hard to look better than the Act list, but Craigs list needs to look to have some breadth and depth to compete. That means not just looking like another attempt at a Christian party.

    • Draco T Bastard 1.4

      Typical left thinking…looking backwards rather than forwards.

      Nope, that’s the thinking of the right who seem determined to take us back to the 15th century.

  2. Bryan 2

    @lprent got it. Perhaps more appropriately I should have said I’m not sure how logical it is to use historic figures (’05 vs ’08) and somehow substantively suggest that a Labour candidate will ‘sneak’ through. I don’t live in the electorate, so my suggestions are guesswork too, but I think they’re a little closer to reality than a fantasy of a left leaning candidate sneaking through.

    @Blighty three ‘big’ rightwing candidates? Banks has profile, give you that. The other two are noises and distractions; not what I’d call big. Of them, one will campaign for candidate vote, one won’t. Neither will win it. The seat is a strong conservative ‘blue’ seat.

    take Auckland central as another example. It changed from longtime red to blue for a few reasons. Reputation of the Dame languishing, voter apathy against Labour and seeking change (across the board), good street work by Nicki Kay. As a ‘red’ seat, it wouldn’t have mattered in ’08 if there was 1 left candidate or several.

    Compared then to Epsom, a blue seat, with a strong blue government, neither strong mandate for change in the wind (nor in the polls) and still with 3 contenders who on paper could win. The voters in Epsom since MMP have always voted strategically and sensibly to ensure the resulting party in Govt helps them out. They may not like how they have to achieve that, but in the end, it’s a means to assist. They don’t want their cake and to eat it too – they just want the cake.

    • felix 2.1

      “take Auckland central as another example. It changed from longtime red to blue for a few reasons. “

      You forgot the main reason: long term demographic change in the area.

      • lprent 2.1.1

        Yep – and the massive increase in apartment dwellers in the central city. Something like 15-20k voters moved into the city over a decade.

    • Blighty 2.2

      Paul Goldsmith is big because he is National’s candidate. And I think you can count on Colin Craig throwing the kitchen sink into his campaign.

      • His spending is limited to $25,000 in Epsom during the not-very-far-away regulated period.

        The Party also cannot advertise on Radio or Television.

        • bbfloyd 2.2.1.1

          graeme… you”re not still deluding yourself that the tories are remotely interested in a fair fight are you?

          since when have they not done what they could to get around the rules?

        • Rob Davies 2.2.1.2

          As a candidate he is limited to a $25,000 spend, but isn’t he also registering a political party?

          Registered parties are capped to a total spend of no more than $1.032 million.

          That party’s “national” campaign could include some hoarding sites outside Auckland, but within the city there could be a strong Epsom bias.

          Ergo, Blighty is probably correct to say Craig is likely to throw the kitchen sink into the campaign. He has in the past.

    • lprent 2.3

      Banks has profile

      Problem is that it is not a good profile. There will be a lot of people just voting against Banks because he is Banks.

      • Pete George 2.3.1

        Act supporters seemed to be split on the Brash Act, then joined in hope.
        They then seemed very split on whether Act should bank on Banks.
        Pol results aren’t surprising.

      • Blighty 2.3.2

        yeah, and that’s even more reason to think the rightwing vote will split.

  3. felix 3

    “Banks cannot assume he starts with Rodney Hide’s level of support in 2008. That was hard, hard won.”

    I raised this point with Lew recently, who pointed out that Rodney only had to do all that hard work because the voters of Epsom would’ve rather voted for a proper Nat like Banks all along.

  4. We should not forget the New Citizen party.  A significant proportion of the electorate is Asian and with a good campaign they could achieve 10% of the vote.  In the Botany By election NCP candidate Paul Young achieved over 10% of the vote.
    Interesting times …

    • Yes, interesting and good that some seats get plenty of attention and voters get plenty of choices. We need a few more seats to get into MMP democracy like Epsom.

  5. Colonial Viper 5

    I’m sensing a panic pulse from Captain Panic Pants.

    Parker is more economically literate than the rest of those Right Wingers put together too.

  6. randal 6

    I think the voters of Epsom are sick and tired of being treated like pawns in Nationals game. And morevoer they know that Labour has the most progressive policies this time around. If National wont represent them and treat them properly then the Labour Party will.

    • Bryan 6.1

      haha. “they know that Labour has the most….” um. Fact is the policies of National, Act and CP are more aligned with the electorate than Labours. What are you smoking?

      • Lazy Susan 6.1.1

        Oh you mean like privatising state assets, tax cuts for high income earners, gutting Kiwisaver, increasing GST. Those really popular NAct policies – yeah right!

        • Bryan 6.1.1.1

          Yes Susan – that’s exactly what I mean. The electorate (speaking generally) is more aligned to tax cut policies for high income earners among the others you refer to. Might not be paletable, but given the nature of this post is how too many RW candidates could allow Labour to sneak through, it is important to keep on topic, and face facts. The seat is very much there for RW parties to exploit. No surprises as to why.

          • bbfloyd 6.1.1.1.1

            bryan,,, so you’re telling us that the people of epsom are happy to support the rape and pillage of the economy going on now? if i lived in epsom, i would be insulted by that statement..

            aren’t they supposed to be the smart ones? do you honestly believe that people with that kind of knowledge and intellect would not understand what the nats policies(or lack of) is going to do to the profitability of their business’ over a relatively short period of time?

            i can understand lawyers going along happily with the exploitative approach, but they don’t make up the majority in epsom..

            • Colonial Viper 6.1.1.1.1.1

              Even senior Epsom lawyers aren’t going to be happy to realise that their grandchildren are going to grow up in London, Sydney and Singapore.

      • mik e 6.1.2

        Is that the one where you have 20,000 more on the DPB or no savings

  7. Lilz 7

    It’s electorates like Epsom that make me more excited about the election than the RWC. Quite frankly the latter is just going to be a giant distraction in the lead up to 26 November.

    • Colonial Viper 7.1

      For many people like myself, the RWC is not even going to be a distraction, just an irritation.

      • bbfloyd 7.1.1

        certainly, now that the nats have managed to turn rwc into a second rate circus act, effectively negating most of the positive flow on that may have occurred.

        that is seriously irritating, and embarrassing.

  8. Thinking on this matter…

    We are looking at this situation from a left or centre-left perspective. ACT is odious to us (and rightly so), whilst John Banks would not be our first choice of candidate (to put it diplomatically).

    But…

    How would I feel, if a similar scenario was presented to me, in my electorate? What if, say, Labour gave strong “hints” to give them the Party Vote, but vote for “Joe Bloggs” from NZ First (which I distrust greatly) to allow NZF to ‘sneak’ through the 5% thresh-hold and give Labour a Coalition partner?

    I would not be terribly happy at the prospect. No, indeed.

    But if it’s a choice between a Labour/NZ First coalition and a National/ACT coalition…

    No, I would not be happy. But I guess I would do the unpalatable thing and Party Vote Labour and Electotate Vote NZ First.

    God, I feel sorry for those poor buggers in Epsom…

    • Lazy Susan 8.1

      True Frank – if you were a died in the wool Labour supporter. But what if you are part of that big soft centre that flaps around in the electoral breeze?

    • Bryan 8.2

      precisely Frank. well said. They may not agree with it, but the majority will be complicit and do it. The end result is more important than a yellow wearing dancer, or recycled public servant. Any which way – this is not about the Epsom seat, but retaining the right wing government, which is probably why most will toe the line.

  9. But what if you are part of that big soft centre that flaps around in the electoral breeze?

    Good point, Susan…

    And if I’m to be honest – I’ve no idea. Trying to look at this issue through another perspective is fairly difficult as it is. I guess I can use the Labour/NZF analogy up to a point as I’ve been a leftie/social democrat for my voting life.

    But a swing voter?

    That’s a new thing altogether. Fairly alien territory for someone with definite views, like me.

  10. Bryan 10

    Just a side issue – Craig hasn’t announced which Electorate he’s going for either. He may choose Epsom, but he surely doesn’t want to spend money poorly so if he thinks his chances aren’t ‘great there’ which I don’t think they are, he’ll probably look elsewhere. Which makes our pontificating here even less relevant! 🙂

  11. prism 11

    Banks cannot assume he starts with Rodney Hide’s level of support in 2008. That was hard, hard won. In 2005, despite the nod from National, his majority was only 3,000.

    I wondered about that – here’s the info.
    2008
    ACT New Zealand 2,389 HIDE, Rodney ACT 21,102
    Green Party 2,662 LOCKE, Keith GP 2,787
    Labour Party 7,711 SUTTON, Kate LAB 5,112
    United Future 258 TUCK, Janet UFNZ 163
    National Party 24,030 WORTH, Richard NAT 8,220

    2005
    ACT New Zealand 1,237 HIDE, Rodney ACT 15,251
    Green Party 1,941 LOCKE, Keith GP 1,513
    Labour Party 9,915 NASH, Stuart LAB 6,138
    National Party 21,310 WORTH, Richard NAT 12,149
    NZ First in the 800s went down to 500s in 2008
    Destiny New Zealand 66 GABB, Rod DNZ 114
    Destiny had a go in 2005 not in 2008.

    • Richard 11.1

      At first glance it looks like a significant number of National Party voters, voted for Hide, which is well known.

      But it also looks like a significant number of Green and Labour voters voted for somebody other than the corresponding electorate candidate. This might mean that significant numbers of Green and Labour votes voted for the National candidate? It is difficult to see them voting for Hide.

    • Tom Gould 11.2

      @ prism, these numbers show just how obscene the Tory rort in Epsom is. The ACT fruit-loops can barely dredge up 2,000 votes, yet their boy can win the seat? And it clearly isn’t down to looks or personality.

  12. Prism, are those Party or Electorate Votes?

  13. Hopeful 13

    Wouldn’t be more likely that a left (ie Green) candidate might slip through as the right vote splits between Banks, Goldsmith, Craig & Parker?

  14. Shazzadude 14

    I reckon Parker should campaign on not being part of the cosy experiment, and to ask National voters who don’t like the cosy ACT deal to vote for him to teach National and ACT a lesson.

    • Bryan 14.1

      riiight. vote for Parker. Get rid of Act, and put National/current Government at risk. To teach National and Act a lesson. To end up with a Labour government. Aha. Like the people of Epsom are going to do that. Said it before, will say it again. They may not like what they have to do, but they’ll do it anyway. They may feel used and abused but that is way less sacrifice than doing things to assist Labour in any way.

      • prism 14.1.1

        Wouldn’t it be nice if voters went for the party that was good for NZ instead of choosing their political allegiance as if it was a sports team! Epsom will bite the bullet and vote whichever way will keep National in and Labour out. How small minded democracy has ended up.

  15. I think we have all forgotten Rodney Hide ,He’s still angry at the way he was dumped .I’m certainly not a fan bit I do think the ACT/Nats really did the dirt on him. Watching him on TV the body language says “Im not done yet! It could be very interesting /

  16. tc 16

    I’d love to see Hide making a nuisance of himself this election……remind akl’ers of the srewing over they received at the NACT’s hands.

  17. Georgy 17

    Well, when you read all the comments, opinions, permutations, combinations, and possibilities, I think the original blog by Eddie is probably about right. Splitting the RW vote 2 or 3 ways, with consolidation of the left vote and some protest vote for Parker, then he just might sneak through – and that would be one of the greatest victories since the very first elections in NZ ! ! ! ! Ha Ha go Parker ! ! ! !

    • Colonial Viper 17.1

      I bet the Righties are planning some desperate back room negotiations in Epsom haha

  18. chris73 18

    I don’t think this is going to change the result at all: ACT win in Epsom

    Though if this guy is representing the religious right I’d like to see him join forces with Destiney so that when they get a resounding hiding at the polls they’ll (hopefully) realise theres no room in NZ for fundamentalist political activism

    • lprent 18.1

      Yeah I wish that party of fundamentalist activists would die as well. But Act is tearing itself apart fast enough already. Isn’t it?

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  • Can taxpayers be confident PIJF cash was spent wisely?
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    Point of OrderBy gadams1000
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  • EGU2024 – An intense week of joining sessions virtually
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  • Submission on “Fast Track Approvals Bill”
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  • The Case for a Universal Family Benefit
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  • On Lee’s watch, Economic Development seems to be stuck on scoring points from promoting sporting e...
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    Point of OrderBy Bob Edlin
    1 day ago
  • New Zealand has never been closed for business
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    1 day ago
  • Stop the panic – we’ve been here before
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    Point of OrderBy poonzteam5443
    2 days ago
  • Melissa Lee and the media: ending the quest
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    Point of OrderBy Bob Edlin
    2 days ago
  • The Hoon around the week to April 19
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    2 days ago
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    2 days ago
  • Nicola's Salad Days.
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    2 days ago
  • Study sees climate change baking in 19% lower global income by 2050
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    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    2 days ago
  • Weekly Roundup 19-April-2024
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    2 days ago
  • Jack Vowles: Stop the panic – we’ve been here before
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    2 days ago
  • Clearing up confusion (or trying to)
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    2 days ago
  • How to Retrieve Deleted Call Log iPhone Without Computer
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  • How to Factory Reset iPhone without Computer: A Comprehensive Guide to Restoring your Device
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  • How to Call Someone on a Computer: A Guide to Voice and Video Communication in the Digital Age
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  • Skeptical Science New Research for Week #16 2024
    Open access notables Glacial isostatic adjustment reduces past and future Arctic subsea permafrost, Creel et al., Nature Communications: Sea-level rise submerges terrestrial permafrost in the Arctic, turning it into subsea permafrost. Subsea permafrost underlies ~ 1.8 million km2 of Arctic continental shelf, with thicknesses in places exceeding 700 m. Sea-level variations over glacial-interglacial cycles control ...
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  • Where on a Computer is the Operating System Generally Stored? Delving into the Digital Home of your ...
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  • How Many Watts Does a Laptop Use? Understanding Power Consumption and Efficiency
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  • How to Screen Record on a Dell Laptop A Guide to Capturing Your Screen with Ease
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  • How Much Does it Cost to Fix a Laptop Screen? Navigating Repair Options and Costs
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    2 days ago
  • Climate Change: Turning the tide
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    2 days ago
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  • Faxing from Your Computer A Modern Guide to Sending Documents Digitally
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  • Vroom vroom go the big red trucks
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    More Than A FeildingBy David Slack
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  • Jones finds $410,000 to help the government muscle in on a spat project
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    Point of OrderBy Bob Edlin
    2 days ago
  • Again, hate crimes are not necessarily terrorism.
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    3 days ago
  • Despair – construction consenting edition
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    Point of OrderBy poonzteam5443
    3 days ago
  • Coalition promises – will the Govt keep the commitment to keep Kiwis equal before the law?
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    Point of OrderBy poonzteam5443
    3 days ago
  • An impermanent public service is a guarantee of very little else but failure
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    Point of OrderBy poonzteam5443
    3 days ago

  • PM’s South East Asia mission does the business
    Prime Minister Christopher Luxon has completed a successful trip to Singapore, Thailand and the Philippines, deepening relationships and capitalising on opportunities. Mr Luxon was accompanied by a business delegation and says the choice of countries represents the priority the New Zealand Government places on South East Asia, and our relationships in ...
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    18 hours ago
  • $41m to support clean energy in South East Asia
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    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 day ago
  • Minister releases Fast-track stakeholder list
    The Government is today releasing a list of organisations who received letters about the Fast-track applications process, says RMA Reform Minister Chris Bishop. “Recently Ministers and agencies have received a series of OIA requests for a list of organisations to whom I wrote with information on applying to have a ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    2 days ago
  • Judicial appointments announced
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    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    2 days ago
  • Education Minister heads to major teaching summit in Singapore
    Education Minister Erica Stanford will lead the New Zealand delegation at the 2024 International Summit on the Teaching Profession (ISTP) held in Singapore. The delegation includes representatives from the Post Primary Teachers’ Association (PPTA) Te Wehengarua and the New Zealand Educational Institute (NZEI) Te Riu Roa.  The summit is co-hosted ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    2 days ago
  • Value of stopbank project proven during cyclone
    A stopbank upgrade project in Tairawhiti partly funded by the Government has increased flood resilience for around 7000ha of residential and horticultural land so far, Regional Development Minister Shane Jones says. Mr Jones today attended a dawn service in Gisborne to mark the end of the first stage of the ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    2 days ago
  • Anzac commemorations, Türkiye relationship focus of visit
    Foreign Affairs Minister Winston Peters will represent the Government at Anzac Day commemorations on the Gallipoli Peninsula next week and engage with senior representatives of the Turkish government in Istanbul.    “The Gallipoli campaign is a defining event in our history. It will be a privilege to share the occasion ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    2 days ago
  • Minister to Europe for OECD meeting, Anzac Day
    Science, Innovation and Technology and Defence Minister Judith Collins will next week attend the OECD Science and Technology Ministerial conference in Paris and Anzac Day commemorations in Belgium. “Science, innovation and technology have a major role to play in rebuilding our economy and achieving better health, environmental and social outcomes ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    2 days ago
  • Comprehensive Partnership the goal for NZ and the Philippines
    Prime Minister Christopher Luxon held a bilateral meeting today with the President of the Philippines, Ferdinand Marcos Jr.  The Prime Minister was accompanied by MP Paulo Garcia, the first Filipino to be elected to a legislature outside the Philippines. During today’s meeting, Prime Minister Luxon and President Marcos Jr discussed opportunities to ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    2 days ago
  • Government commits $20m to Westport flood protection
    The Government has announced that $20 million in funding will be made available to Westport to fund much needed flood protection around the town. This measure will significantly improve the resilience of the community, says Local Government Minister Simeon Brown. “The Westport community has already been allocated almost $3 million ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    2 days ago
  • Taupō takes pole position
    The Government is proud to support the first ever Repco Supercars Championship event in Taupō as up to 70,000 motorsport fans attend the Taupō International Motorsport Park this weekend, says Economic Development Minister Melissa Lee. “Anticipation for the ITM Taupō Super400 is huge, with tickets and accommodation selling out weeks ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    2 days ago
  • Cost of living support for low-income homeowners
    Local Government Minister Simeon Brown has announced an increase to the Rates Rebate Scheme, putting money back into the pockets of low-income homeowners.  “The coalition Government is committed to bringing down the cost of living for New Zealanders. That includes targeted support for those Kiwis who are doing things tough, such ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    3 days ago
  • Government backing mussel spat project
    The Coalition Government is investing in a project to boost survival rates of New Zealand mussels and grow the industry, Oceans and Fisheries Minister Shane Jones has announced. “This project seeks to increase the resilience of our mussels and significantly boost the sector’s productivity,” Mr Jones says. “The project - ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    3 days ago
  • Government focused on getting people into work
    Benefit figures released today underscore the importance of the Government’s plan to rebuild the economy and have 50,000 fewer people on Jobseeker Support, Social Development and Employment Minister Louise Upston says. “Benefit numbers are still significantly higher than when National was last in government, when there was about 70,000 fewer ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    3 days ago
  • Clean energy key driver to reducing emissions
    The Government’s commitment to doubling New Zealand’s renewable energy capacity is backed by new data showing that clean energy has helped the country reach its lowest annual gross emissions since 1999, Climate Change Minister Simon Watts says. New Zealand’s latest Greenhouse Gas Inventory (1990-2022) published today, shows gross emissions fell ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    3 days ago
  • Earthquake-prone buildings review brought forward
    The Government is bringing the earthquake-prone building review forward, with work to start immediately, and extending the deadline for remediations by four years, Building and Construction Minister Chris Penk says. “Our Government is focused on rebuilding the economy. A key part of our plan is to cut red tape that ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    3 days ago
  • Thailand and NZ to agree to Strategic Partnership
    Prime Minister Christopher Luxon and his Thai counterpart, Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin, have today agreed that New Zealand and the Kingdom of Thailand will upgrade the bilateral relationship to a Strategic Partnership by 2026. “New Zealand and Thailand have a lot to offer each other. We have a strong mutual desire to build ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    3 days ago
  • Government consults on extending coastal permits for ports
    RMA Reform Minister Chris Bishop and Transport Minister Simeon Brown have today announced the Coalition Government’s intention to extend port coastal permits for a further 20 years, providing port operators with certainty to continue their operations. “The introduction of the Resource Management Act in 1991 required ports to obtain coastal ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    4 days ago
  • Inflation coming down, but more work to do
    Today’s announcement that inflation is down to 4 per cent is encouraging news for Kiwis, but there is more work to be done - underlining the importance of the Government’s plan to get the economy back on track, acting Finance Minister Chris Bishop says. “Inflation is now at 4 per ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    4 days ago
  • School attendance restored as a priority in health advice
    Refreshed health guidance released today will help parents and schools make informed decisions about whether their child needs to be in school, addressing one of the key issues affecting school attendance, says Associate Education Minister David Seymour. In recent years, consistently across all school terms, short-term illness or medical reasons ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    4 days ago
  • Unnecessary bureaucracy cut in oceans sector
    Oceans and Fisheries Minister Shane Jones is streamlining high-level oceans management while maintaining a focus on supporting the sector’s role in the export-led recovery of the economy. “I am working to realise the untapped potential of our fishing and aquaculture sector. To achieve that we need to be smarter with ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    4 days ago
  • Patterson promoting NZ’s wool sector at International Congress
    Associate Agriculture Minister Mark Patterson is speaking at the International Wool Textile Organisation Congress in Adelaide, promoting New Zealand wool, and outlining the coalition Government’s support for the revitalisation the sector.    "New Zealand’s wool exports reached $400 million in the year to 30 June 2023, and the coalition Government ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    5 days ago
  • Removing red tape to help early learners thrive
    The Government is making legislative changes to make it easier for new early learning services to be established, and for existing services to operate, Associate Education Minister David Seymour says. The changes involve repealing the network approval provisions that apply when someone wants to establish a new early learning service, ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    5 days ago
  • RMA changes to cut coal mining consent red tape
    Changes to the Resource Management Act will align consenting for coal mining to other forms of mining to reduce barriers that are holding back economic development, Resources Minister Shane Jones says. “The inconsistent treatment of coal mining compared with other extractive activities is burdensome red tape that fails to acknowledge ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    5 days ago
  • McClay reaffirms strong NZ-China trade relationship
    Trade, Agriculture and Forestry Minister Todd McClay has concluded productive discussions with ministerial counterparts in Beijing today, in support of the New Zealand-China trade and economic relationship. “My meeting with Commerce Minister Wang Wentao reaffirmed the complementary nature of the bilateral trade relationship, with our Free Trade Agreement at its ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    5 days ago
  • Prime Minister Luxon acknowledges legacy of Singapore Prime Minister Lee
    Prime Minister Christopher Luxon today paid tribute to Singapore’s outgoing Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong.   Meeting in Singapore today immediately before Prime Minister Lee announced he was stepping down, Prime Minister Luxon warmly acknowledged his counterpart’s almost twenty years as leader, and the enduring legacy he has left for Singapore and South East ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    5 days ago
  • PMs Luxon and Lee deepen Singapore-NZ ties
    Prime Minister Christopher Luxon held a bilateral meeting today with Singapore Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong. While in Singapore as part of his visit to South East Asia this week, Prime Minister Luxon also met with Singapore President Tharman Shanmugaratnam and will meet with Deputy Prime Minister Lawrence Wong.  During today’s meeting, Prime Minister Luxon ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    5 days ago
  • Antarctica New Zealand Board appointments
    Foreign Minister Winston Peters has made further appointments to the Board of Antarctica New Zealand as part of a continued effort to ensure the Scott Base Redevelopment project is delivered in a cost-effective and efficient manner.  The Minister has appointed Neville Harris as a new member of the Board. Mr ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    5 days ago
  • Finance Minister travels to Washington DC
    Finance Minister Nicola Willis will travel to the United States on Tuesday to attend a meeting of the Five Finance Ministers group, with counterparts from Australia, the United States, Canada, and the United Kingdom.  “I am looking forward to meeting with our Five Finance partners on how we can work ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    5 days ago
  • Pet bonds a win/win for renters and landlords
    The coalition Government has today announced purrfect and pawsitive changes to the Residential Tenancies Act to give tenants with pets greater choice when looking for a rental property, says Housing Minister Chris Bishop. “Pets are important members of many Kiwi families. It’s estimated that around 64 per cent of New ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    6 days ago
  • Long Tunnel for SH1 Wellington being considered
    State Highway 1 (SH1) through Wellington City is heavily congested at peak times and while planning continues on the duplicate Mt Victoria Tunnel and Basin Reserve project, the Government has also asked NZ Transport Agency (NZTA) to consider and provide advice on a Long Tunnel option, Transport Minister Simeon Brown ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    6 days ago
  • New Zealand condemns Iranian strikes
    Prime Minister Christopher Luxon and Foreign Minister Winston Peters have condemned Iran’s shocking and illegal strikes against Israel.    “These attacks are a major challenge to peace and stability in a region already under enormous pressure," Mr Luxon says.    "We are deeply concerned that miscalculation on any side could ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    6 days ago
  • Huge interest in Government’s infrastructure plans
    Hundreds of people in little over a week have turned out in Northland to hear Regional Development Minister Shane Jones speak about plans for boosting the regional economy through infrastructure. About 200 people from the infrastructure and associated sectors attended an event headlined by Mr Jones in Whangarei today. Last ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 week ago
  • Health Minister thanks outgoing Health New Zealand Chair
    Health Minister Dr Shane Reti has today thanked outgoing Health New Zealand – Te Whatu Ora Chair Dame Karen Poutasi for her service on the Board.   “Dame Karen tendered her resignation as Chair and as a member of the Board today,” says Dr Reti.  “I have asked her to ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 week ago
  • Roads of National Significance planning underway
    The NZ Transport Agency (NZTA) has signalled their proposed delivery approach for the Government’s 15 Roads of National Significance (RoNS), with the release of the State Highway Investment Proposal (SHIP) today, Transport Minister Simeon Brown says.  “Boosting economic growth and productivity is a key part of the Government’s plan to ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
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